Methods and apparatus for object reproduction

ABSTRACT

Methods and apparatus for photographically-assisted reproduction of continuous line boundaries of three-dimensional objects are disclosed wherein cooperative parts of continuous line boundaries are compositely recreated by use of a mirror plurality disposed in selectively overlapping viewing relation to the boundaries and lens means in viewing relation to the mirror plurality.

United States Patent Carpentier et a1.

METHODS AND APPARATUS FOR OBJECT REPRODUCTION Inventors: Richard A.Carpentier, 41 Half Circle Dr., Holbrook, NY. 11741;-

Paul L. Di Matteo, 6 Carol CL, Dix Hills, NY. 1 1746; Howard K. Stern,89 Derby Ave., Greenlawn, N.Y. 1 1740; Ernest C. Wittke, 1600 GrandAve., Baldwin, NY. 11750 Filed: Jan. 8, 1973 Appl. No.: 321,732

US. Cl. 355/77; 353/65; 156/58; 356/163 Int. Cl. G03b 21/06 Field ofSearch 353/65; 156/58; 356/163; 355/77 References Cited UNITED STATESPATENTS 6/1908 Smith 156/58 [4 1 May 20, 1975 1,596,458 8/1926 Schiesari156/58 1,719,483 7/1929 Morioka 2,607,267 8/1952 Fultz 2,741,153 4/1956Reason 356/163 Primary Examiner-John M. Horan Attorney, Agent, orFirm-Watson Leavenworth Kelton & Taggart [57] ABSTRACT Methods andapparatus for photographical]y-assisted reproduction of continuous lineboundaries of threedimensional objects are disclosed wherein cooperativeparts of continuous line boundaries are compositely recreated by use ofa mirror plurality disposed in selectively overlapping viewing relationto the boundaries and lens means in viewing relation to the mirrorplurality.

12 Claims, 7 Drawing Figures PAYENTEB HAY 2 O [9. 5

SHEET b 0F 5 METHODS AND APPARATUS FOR OBJECT REPRODUCTION FIELD OF THEINVENTION This invention relates to methods and apparatus for use in thereproduction of three-dimensional objects and more particularly for usein photographicallyassisted reproduction thereof.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION In one presently known method for makingreliefs of three-dimensional objects, slices of readily workablematerial are provided in volume exceeding that of the object and eachmaterial slice is worked until its surface boundary accords with thesurface boundary of a corresponding like-thickness slice of the object.Materials such as wood, metal and the like are employable with variousworking techniques, e.g., carving, chemical etching, etc., as discussedin US. Pats. No. 2,189,592 and 3,539,410, particularly in connectionwith the making of topographical reliefs.

Realization of the referenced method in making topographical reliefs maybe conveniently accomplished since requisite positional informationdefining object surface boundaries is directly available from a contourmap, which provides visualization of all object surface boundaries. Onthe other hand, when the method is applied to irregularly-shaped objectswhose surface boundaries are not charted and which include surfaceboundary portions recessed relative to one another and hence notdirectly viewable from a single viewing location, practice of the methodis impeded at the outset by the need for deriving exacting positionalinformation defining object surface boundaries.

Presently known efforts for deriving such positional informationdefining the surface boundaries of irregularly-shaped objects, e.g., asdiscussed in US. Pats. Nos. 3,338,766, Reissue 25,930, 2,891,339,2,350,796, 1,719,483, 2,335,127, 2,066,996 and 2,015,457, have in commonthe piecemeal derivation of positional information respecting thesurface boundaries of selective object slices by composite techniques,machineperformable in initial part but subsequently manipulative.Typically, such efforts involve the use of a single camera movablerelative to the object slice, or fixed multiple cameras, for the takingof plural angularlydisplaced photographs of an illuminated object slicesurface boundary. As discussed in the abovereferenced patents, andparticularly in US. Pat. No. 2,891,339, such machine-performablephotographic step must be supplemented by the complex and tediousfurther manipulative step of interfitting and sizeadjusting theseparately derived photographs of different segments of the slicesurface boundary in order to provide positional information respectingthe continuous encircling boundary surface of the object slice necessaryfor visualization thereof.

Such known efforts to reproduce irregularly-surfaced objects areevidently less efficient than is desired, based on their apparatusrequirements, i.e., either multiple cameras or a single camera togetherwith means for angularly displacing the same, and by their methodlimitations, i.e., the need for separately deriving multiple photographsof each slice surface boundary and for manipulative steps of processingthe photographs. Ac-

cordingly, need clearly exists for improved apparatus and method for usein this field.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has as its object theprovision of methods and apparatus enabling more efficient derivation ofpositional information and visualization of surface boundaries for usein irregularly-shaped object reproduction.

A more particular object of the invention is the provision of methodsand apparatus for deriving such positional information and effectingsuch visualization in machineperformable manner throughout.

In attaining these and other objects, the invention provides for thepositioning of a plurality of reflective means in viewing relation bothto a preselected line boundary of an object and to a lens, the furtherpositioning of adjacent ones of the reflective means in viewing relationto a common extent of the line boundary, and irradiation of the lineboundary. The radiant energy image thereupon generated by the lenscontains the desired positional information and may be recorded on asingle film frame for use, after development, in providing visualizationof the continuous line boundary. Alternatively, the radiant energy imagemay be used directly in providing such visualization by further methodand apparatus.

The foregoing and other objects and features of the invention will beevident from the following detailed description of preferred embodimentsthereof and from the drawings wherein like reference numerals identifylike parts throughout.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 illustrates method andapparatus in accordance with the invention and optical relationshipsamong elements used therein.

FIG. 2 illustrates further optical relationships among elements of theapparatus of FIG. 1.

FIGS. 3 and 4 illustrate further embodiments of method and apparatus inaccordance with the invention.

FIGS. 5, 6 and 7 illustrate techniques and elements for image rotationin accordance with the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Referring to FIG. 1, ahousing 10 supports therewithin a frame 12 in turn supporting, inmutually fixed relation, a lens 14, a radiant energy projector 16 andmirrors 18, 20, 22 and 24. Mirrors 18 and 20 are two mirrors in aplurality of projection mirrors disposed peripherally of the interior offrame 12. The same applies in the case of mirrors 22 and 24, whose lensplurality may comprise three mirrors and thus include one further mirror23 (FIG. 2). Disposed laterally of frame 12 and connected thereto byarms 12a and 12b are a pair of lead screw mechanisms, one of which 26 isshown in FIG. 1 fixed in housing 10 and in driven engagement with theoutput shaft of reversible motor 28. Pedestal 30 is secured to the floorof housing 10 in position supporting an object to be reproducedinteriorly of frame 12.

Projector 16 incorporates a slit mask providing for application ofpencil-line light beams to mirrors l8 and 20 which are reflectedtherefrom into a preselected plane 32 extending between the mirrors.Motor 28 is energized to provide for selective movement of frame 12relative to the object, such that plane 32 may be caused to intersectthe object in preselected manner to define distinct line boundaries inthe object boundary surface, e.g., illustrated at 34 in FIGS. 1 and 2.

Frame 12 supports mirrors 22-24 in viewing relation to both lens 14 and,wherein an object is disposed in housing 10, in viewing relation to theobject. line boundary surface defined by projector 16 and mirrors l820.Further, mirrors 22-24 are supported by the frame such that adjacentones thereof are in viewing relation to a common segment of such objectline boundary, i.e., have overlapping fields of view (FIG. 2). By thisarrangement, mirrors 22-24 convey to lens 14 images which embodypositional information respecting the entire line boundary 34. Suitablemasking may be employed to eliminate direct viewing of the object bylens 14 since direct views of the object are surplusage to the instantmethods. Where masking is not employed, any directly viewedrepresentation of the object generated by lens 14 is ignored. Whileprojector 16 preferably incorporated a visible energy source, and suchimages are light images, the invention of course contemplates the use inprojector 16 of any suitable radiant energy source.

A further preferred optical relationship among elements of the apparatusof FIG. 1, and a preferred practice of the invention, resides in theangular relationship among the virtual images produced by mirrors 22-24.By appropriate positioning of mirrors 22-24, their virtual images, V andV of which are illustrated, are equidistant at their midpoints from lens14 and form the same angle with a common axis, preferably the opticalaxis of lens 14. As will be evident, this practice facilitates focusingof the multiple views of the line boundary.

The images provided by the foregoing fundamental apparatus and basicmethod of the invention may be recorded on a single frame of a recordingmedium 36, preferably comprising photographic film. Video tape or thelike may be used in which cases, the energy source of projector 16 isselected accordingly; Upon development of the recording medium, the sameprovides a composite image which, while not itself defining areproduction of line boundary 34, may be employed as now discussed inaccordance with further method and apparatus of the invention to providesuch reproduction as follows.

The developed frame of the recording medium is returned to its originalposition relative to lens-l4, i.e., in the focal plane defined by thelens for mirrors 22-24, and projector 16 is deenergized. The object isremoved from the interior of frame 12 and visualizing means, i.e., aviewing screen, such as ground glass in the case of light energy, ispositioned coincidently with plane 32. A further projector 38, shown inbroken lines in FIG. 1, is now energized and projects radiant energysuccessively through recording medium 36, lens 14 and mirrors 22-24 ontothe surface of the viewing screen. There results on the screen surface areproduction of object line boundary 34 which may be recorded, as byphotographing the same, and subsequently used in accordance with thetechniques discussed in the above referenced patents to reproduce athree-dimensional slice of the object.

The procedure discussed to this point may be repeated for otherpreselected planes of the object by thus produced are unitarilyassembled to provide a reproduction of the entire object. To facilitatethe assembly of such slices, an elongate element defining an assemblyregistration axis may be disposed adjacent the object during practice ofthe method and will appear in cross-section in all frames of developedrecording meclium.

The methods discussed to this point require that visualizing means besubstituted for the object in the visualization of each line boundary.Such requirement may be eliminated by the practice of further methodsnow discussed.

The apparatus in the lower half of FIG. 3 comprises a portion of that ofFIG. 1, namely, lens 14 and mirrors 22-24. For simplification, frame 12and the object are omitted, as are projector 16 and mirrors 18-20.Recording medium 36 and projector 38 are not employed. A second lens 40is disposed with the optical axis thereof coincident with that of lens14. A viewing screen, which may comprise ground glass plate 42, isdisposed in'a field of view of lens 40 extending oppositely from thefield of view thereof extending to lens 14. A further plurality ofmirrors 44-46, in number corresponding with mirrors 22-24, is positionedin viewing relation to both lens 40 and plate 42. Further, mirror 44 ispositioned such that it is in viewing relation with a selective one ofmirrors 22-24, namely, mirror 22. Likewise, mirror 46 is positioned soas to be in selective viewing relation with mirror 24. Theabove-discussed optical arrangement among mirrors 22-24 respecting theorientation of virtual images and distance between the same and lens 14is also preferably practiced for mirrors 44-46, virtual images V and V,of which are illustrated in FIG. 3.

In operation of the FIG. 3 apparatus, each image generated by mirror 22and conveyed to lens 14, as heretofore discussed, is projected by lens40 onto mirror 44 and thenceonto plate 42. Likewise, each imagegenerated by mirror 24 and conveyed to lens 14 is projected by lens 40onto mirror 46 and thence onto plate 42. In the example illustrated inFIG. 3, line boundary 34 is reproduced in its entirety on'plate 42 andmay be recorded for further use in object slice construction.

All optical elements of FIG. 3 are supported in mutually fixed relationin a frame similar to frame 12 of FIG. 1. Such frame is supported forselective movement relative to an object disposed interiorly of theapparatus of the lower half of the figure. By this arrangement, recordsof the continuous line boundaries of incrementally spaced portions of anobject may be produced successively without the need for removing theobject from the apparatus at any time during record production.

Where focus relations in the two-lens system of FIG. 3 are undulyconflicting or where it is desired to employ relatively large lenses inthe apparatus of the invention for improving the amount of image energytransmitted through the apparatus and hence image contrast, it isconvenient to introduce in the apparatus elements ef I fecting theparticular image exchange between lens 14 and lens 40 shown in FIG. 3,i.e., corrective of lens depth of focus limitations. One form of element48 suitable for such use is laterally displaced from operative positionin FIG. 3 for clarity, and is shown in operative position in FIG. 5. o

Image 1 of FIG. 5 generated by lens 14 and disposed in its illustratedorientation should be in the substantially different orientation, i.e.,that of image l in order that images I and I, may be in theirillustrated orientations. To this end, element 48, shown in FIG. 5 forpurposes of explanation as comprising sections 48a and 48b is comprisedof fiber optic members formed into a wedge defining input plane 48c,having the orientation of image 1 and output plane 48d, having theorientation of image I By way of explanation of the function of thewedge, its individual members conduct image I, to the horizontal planeas shown by image I and thence to plane 48d, in effect providing arotation of the image in desired manner.

In the wedge arrangement of FIGS. 3 and 5, images are rotated withoutscale change. Where desired, scale change, either of magnification ordemagnification, may be introduced by forming element 48 in separatesections and inserting a lens 50 (FIG. 5) therebetween. The spatialrelationships between mirrors 44-46, lens 40 and viewing screen 42 arescaled from their relationship absent scale change in accordance withthe scale change adopted. Such relationship absent scale change requiresthat the apparatus supporting lens 40 and mirrors 44-46 be of the samesize as the apparatus supporting lens 14 and mirrors 22-24. Evidently,demagnifying scale change will permit extensive size reduction for thecomposite apparatus.

Scale change may be introduced alternatively by changing the orientationof wedge output plane 48d and the projection throw distance of the finalimage. In this connection, lens 40 is repositioned relative to wedgeoutput plane 48d and the distance between lens 40 and mirrors 44 and 46is adjusted such that images V and V, have the same orientation as inthe absence of scale change.

The apparatus of FIG. 3 is duplicated in large part in the modifiedembodiment thereof shown in FIG. 4. The variation introduced in the FIG.4 apparatus, which may be introduced in all discussed practices of theinvention, involves the substitution of intermediate viewing screen 51,e.g., ground glass, for members 48, and the substitution of mirror 24 bya pair of mirrors 52 and 54.

Viewing screen 51 provides a common plane for all images, as contrastedwith the four image planes defined by members 48 of FIG. 3. As will beappreciated, the use of viewing screen 51, or its equivalent infunction, i.e., a field lens (not shown) intervening lenses 14 and 40,is satisfactory in instances not involving exacting correction of lensdepth of focus limitations.

Mirror 52 of FIG. 4 is positioned to view line boundary 34 from the sidethereof opposite to that viewed by mirror 22. Mirror 52, while notitself positioned in the direct field of view of lens 14, is in thefield of view of mirror 54, and mirror 54 is in the direct field of viewof lens 14. Mirror 52 is further in viewing relation to one side of asegment of line boundary 34, the other side or the same side of which isin the field of view of a mirror adjacent to mirror 52. As illustrated,mirror 54 is preferably further positioned such that its virtual imageforms the same angle of intersection with a common axis as do thevirtual images formed by counterpart mirrors in the apparatus.

A further arrangement employable where image rotation is desired inpracticing the invention is shown in FIG. 6. In this arrangement, amirror system is disposed between lenses l4 and 40. Mirrors 56 and 58are so positioned as to define a common focal plane 60 thereby providingline of sight relations for images V and V produced by counterpartmirrors (not shown) on oppo- 5 site sides of and in selective viewingrelation through the lenses. Mirrors 62 and 64 are likewise positionedto define a common focal plane 66 thereby providing line of sightrelations for virtual images V and V This arrangement is suited for usewhere the optical conditions illustrated in FIG. 7 exist.

Referring to FIG. 7, virtual image V is focused by lens 14 in plane 68.Focal plane 70 is the plane in which lens 40 requires this image inorder to project a virtual image thereof in the orientation shown for VThe optical axes of lenses 14 and 40 are coincident with axis 72. Wherethe sum of the focal plane skew angles, (1), and (1: is equal to the sumof lens angles, 6, and 0 a plurality of mirrors may be positionedbetween lenses 14 and 40 to provide the requisite image rotation.

Various changes now made evident to those skilled in the art may beeffected in the foregoing methods and apparatus without departing fromthe present invention. For example, while disclosure has been made ofthe use of the invention in the reproduction of continuous encirclingline boundaries, reproduction may be had merely of a continuous lineboundary of an object. Where images are recorded in practicing theinvention, it will be appreciated that the term development, as appliedto records of images, is intended to connote processing the record suchthat its information content may be visualized. Thus, the particularlydisclosed embodiments above are intended in a descriptive and not alimiting sense. The true spirit and scope of the invention is set forthin the following claims.

What is claimed is:

1. Apparatus for use in the reproduction of a threedimensional object,comprising:

a. first means for supporting said object;

b. second means for generating a plurality of separate overlappingradiant energy images of said object, said second means defining aninterior in which said object is positionable and supportingat saidinterior in mutually fixed relation:

1. lens means providing said separate overlapping images and beinginclusive of at least one lens;

2. means for projecting radiant energy in a predetermined planar portionof said interior;

3. a plurality of radiant energy reflective means, each disposed indistinct viewing relation to said predetermined interior portion, eachpair of said reflective means being further disposed in the field ofview of at least one lens in said lens means; and

4. image rotating means for separately turning the plane of each of saidimages provided by said lens means to effect joint focusing andpositioning thereof in a common plane; and

c. third means for providing relative movement between said first andsecond means to selectively position said object within said secondmeans.

2. The apparatus claimed in claim 1 further including means forrecording radiant energy images generated by said second means.

3. Apparatus for use in the reproduction of a threedimensional object,comprising:

a. first means for supporting said object;

b. second means for generating radiant energy images of said object,said second means defining an interior in which said object ispositionable and supporting at said interior in mutually fixed relation:

l. a first lens; 2. means for projecting radiant energy in apredetermined planar portion of said interior; 3. a plurality of firstradiant energy reflective means, each disposed in a first field of viewof said first lens and in viewing relation to said predeterminedinterior portion;

4. a second lens disposed in a second field of view of said first lens;

5. means for visualizing radiant energy images incident thereon; and

6. a plurality of second radiant energy reflective means, each disposedin viewing relation to said visualizing means and in viewing relationthrough said first lens and said second lens to a selective one of saidfirst reflective means; and

c. third means for providing relative movement between said first andsecond means to selectively position said object within said secondmeans.

4. The apparatus claimed in claim 3 further including means forrecording radiant energy images generated by said second means.

5. The apparatus claimed in claim 3 wherein said second means furtherincludes means disposed between said first lens and said second lens forrotating radiant energy images applied thereto by said first lens.

6. The apparatus claimed in claim 5 wherein said image rotating means iscomprised of first and second image rotating members, said second meansfurther including a third lens disposed between said members.

7. The method for generating a radiant energy pattern for use inreproducing the surface boundary of a threedimensional object,comprising the steps of:

a. defining a lens field of view extending from an origin to saidobject;

b. preselecting a plane intersecting said object and defining acontinuous encircling line boundary in said object surface;

0. applying radiant energy to said object line boundd. reflecting intosaid lens field of view and through said origin thereof a plurality ofseparate radiant energy images of overlapping portions of said objectline boundary;

e. separately turning the plane of each of said radiant energy imagesupon reflection thereof through said origin of said lens field of viewto effect joint focusing and positioning thereof in a common planeexteriorly of said lens field of view; and

f. recording such turned radiant energy images at said common plane.

8. The method claimed in claim 7 wherein all virtual images of saidobject line boundary generated in saidstep (d) form the same angle ofintersection with a common axis.

9. The method claimed in claim 7 wherein the optical axis of said lensfield of view intersects said object.

10. The method claimed in claim 9 wherein all virtual images of saidobject line boundary generated in said step (d) form the same angle ofintersection with said optical axis.

11. The method claimed in claim 7, wherein said radiant energy is lightenergy and wherein said step (f) is practiced by recording said imageson photographic film.

12. A method for visibly reproducing a continuous part of the surfaceboundary of a three-dimensional object, comprising the steps of: I

a. defining a lens field of view extending from an origin to saidobject;

b. preselecting a plane intersecting said object and defining acontinuous encircling line boundary in said object surface;

c. applying radiant energy to said object line boundd. reflecting intosaid lens field of view and through said origin thereof a plurality ofseparate radiant energy images of overlapping portions of said objectline boundary.

e. separately turning the plane of each of such reflected radiant energyimages upon reflection thereof through said origin of said lens field ofview to effect joint focusing and positioning thereof in a common planeexteriorly of said lens field of view;

f. recording such turned radiant energy images at said common plane toprovide a record thereof defining a composite image comprised ofseparated partial images of said object line. boundary;

g. developing said record and then repositioning the same in said focalplane; and

h. applying radiant energy to said record, thereby generating areproduction of said object line boundary from such recorded compositeimage.

1. Apparatus for use in the reproduction of a three-dimensional object,comprising: a. first means for supporting said object; b. second meansfor generating a plurality of separate overlapping radiant energy imagesof said object, said second means defining an interior in which saidobject is positionable and supporting at said interior in mutually fixedrelation:
 1. lens means providing said separate overlapping images andbeing inclusive of at least one lens;
 2. means for projecting radiantenergy in a predetermined planar portion of said interior;
 3. aplurality of radiant energy reflective means, each disposed in distinctviewing relation to said predetermined interior portion, each pair ofsaid reflective means being further disposed in the field of view of atleast one lens in said lens means; and
 4. image rotating means forseparately turning the plane of each of said images provided by saidlens means to effect joint focusing and positioning thereof in a commonplane; and c. third means for providing relative movement between saidfirst and second means to selectively position said object within saidsecond means.
 2. means for projecting radiant energy in a predeterminedplanar portion of said interior;
 2. means for projecting radiant energyin a predetermined planar portion of said interior;
 2. The apparatusclaimed in claim 1 further including means for recording radiant energyimages generated by said second means.
 3. Apparatus for use in thereproduction of a three-dimensional object, comprising: a. first meansfor supporting said object; b. second means for generating radiantenergy images of said object, said second means defining an interior inwhich said object is positionable and supporting at said interior inmutually fixed relation:
 3. a plurality of first radiant energyreflective means, each disposed in a first field of view of said firstlens and in viewing relation to said predetermined interior portion; 3.a plurality of radiant energy reflective means, each disposed indistinct viewing relation to said predetermined interior portion, eachpair of said reflective means being further disposed in the field ofview of at least one lens in said lens means; and
 4. image rotatingmeans for separately turning the plane of each of said images providedby said lens means to effect joint focusing and positioning thereof in acommon plane; and c. third means for providing relative movement betweensaid first and second means to selectively position said object withinsaid second means.
 4. a second lens disposed in a second field of viewof said first lens;
 4. The apparatus claimed in claim 3 furtherincluding means for recording radiant energy images generated by saidsecond means.
 5. The apparatus claimed in claim 3 wherein said secondmeans further includes means disposed between said first lens and saidsecond lens for rotating radiant energy images applied thereto by saidfirst lens.
 5. means for visualizing radiant energy images incidentthereon; and
 6. a plurality of second radiant energy reflective means,each disposed in viewing relation to said visualizing means and inviewing relation through said first lens and said second lens to aselective one of said first reflective means; and c. third means forproviding relative movement between said first and second means toselectively position said object within said second means.
 6. Theapparatus claimed in claim 5 wherein said image rotating means iscomprised of first and second image rotating members, said second meansfurther including a third lens disposed between said members.
 7. Themethod for generating a radiant energy pattern for use in reproducingthe surface boundary of a threedimensional object, comprising the stepsof: a. defining a lens field of view extending from an origin to saidobject; b. preselecting a plane intersecting said object and defining acontinuous encircling line boundary in said object surface; c. applyingradiant energy to said object line boundary; d. reflecting into saidlens field of view and through said origin thereof a plurality ofseparate radiant energy images of overlapping portions of said objectline boundary; e. separately turning the plane of each of said radiantenergy images upon reflection thereof through said origin of said lensfield of view to effect joint focusing and positioning thereof in acommon plane exteriorly of said lens field of view; and f. recordingsuch turned radiant energy images at said common plane.
 8. The metHodclaimed in claim 7 wherein all virtual images of said object lineboundary generated in said step (d) form the same angle of intersectionwith a common axis.
 9. The method claimed in claim 7 wherein the opticalaxis of said lens field of view intersects said object.
 10. The methodclaimed in claim 9 wherein all virtual images of said object lineboundary generated in said step (d) form the same angle of intersectionwith said optical axis.
 11. The method claimed in claim 7, wherein saidradiant energy is light energy and wherein said step (f) is practiced byrecording said images on photographic film.
 12. A method for visiblyreproducing a continuous part of the surface boundary of athree-dimensional object, comprising the steps of: a. defining a lensfield of view extending from an origin to said object; b. preselecting aplane intersecting said object and defining a continuous encircling lineboundary in said object surface; c. applying radiant energy to saidobject line boundary; d. reflecting into said lens field of view andthrough said origin thereof a plurality of separate radiant energyimages of overlapping portions of said object line boundary. e.separately turning the plane of each of such reflected radiant energyimages upon reflection thereof through said origin of said lens field ofview to effect joint focusing and positioning thereof in a common planeexteriorly of said lens field of view; f. recording such turned radiantenergy images at said common plane to provide a record thereof defininga composite image comprised of separated partial images of said objectline boundary; g. developing said record and then repositioning the samein said focal plane; and h. applying radiant energy to said record,thereby generating a reproduction of said object line boundary from suchrecorded composite image.